The 'Farm' Bill Is No Such Thing

Some 80% of the supposed agricultural law goes to food stamps.

By

Marlin Stutzman

And Michael Needham

Aug. 1, 2012 7:06 p.m. ET

For decades, an unholy Washington alliance—between rural lawmakers and their urban and suburban colleagues—has caused exponential growth in spending by combining farm policy and food stamps in one huge legislative package. It's a practice our nation can no longer afford as we approach $16 trillion in debt. Yet in July the House Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill with nearly $1 trillion in spending, or 60% more than was contained in the 2008 bill (passed by the Nancy Pelosi-led Congress over the veto of then-President George...